DRW50

When I watch clips of Isabella, I mostly appreciate Staci Greason's screen presence and chemistry with those around her, even as the character seemed underwritten. I remember claims that many viewers actually did not want Marlena with RoJohn when she returned because they enjoyed his pairing with Isabella (and most of Marlena's screen time had been with Wayne's Roman anyway, although clearly she and RoJohn had fans). You wonder what would have been if Staci hadn't left, although I imagine Reilly would have still wanted to pair up John and Marlena.

RIP Harris Yulin, who played Michael Christopher (Steve's biological father) from 84-85. Harris Yulin Dead: 'Scarface,' 'Training Day,' 'Ozark' Actor Was 87 Did they ever mention this character after he left? Steve should have asked him for a loan...not that he would have.

I feel like they have already been rested as it is. I've rarely seen a cancer story for a major character treated as casually as it was with Alfie. I would probably write him out and have Kat on her own as they seem to have no ability to write for a serious Alfie or to rein Shane in.

@Liberty City @MichaelGL I could believe the possible spoiler about another landlady as Kat seems likely temporary/placeholder to me. I don't hate the idea of Kat being in the Vic, especially as the overhyped drag parody that is Elaine (even if they have belatedly tried to humanize her) and dullard George and his dull children do nothing for me. I just wish Kat was in a stronger place. They have shown so little of her in the last few years in stories that should have been stronger than they are, and it's not just because of Jessie's suspensions or injury breaks.

That was such a mess in general but barely felt like it was about Monica. Hopefully her funeral will be.

Guza and Geary had so much contempt for Greg's version of Lucky, and for any Lucky who wasn't Luke Jr, he was never going to stay. I still wonder if they are going to reveal this isn't actually Drew and is Shiloh, as some fans have speculated. They did a decent job with the memorials for various other characters without tying them to Sonny, but I imagine Carly will play a sizable role. Luckily with Jason and Tracy back they can have more angles beyond Carly and Michael and Sonny.

Good for Vanessa. Always be wary of people who tell you homophobia is "over" or that it will only be bad if so and so group doesn't remember their place. It is bad and has always been bad and will just get worse. He really is a true physical mix of his parents.

B&B is also where I first saw Chris, and Jack was my favorite soap role of his. I don't think he was quite right for Rick Webber (too cold) and Jason Frame was a mess of a character. Chris worked well with Hunter Tylo, Darlene Conley and Susan Flannery, and was one of many who came and went through B&B they could have done more with. Chris had almost a more dramatic life offscreen than on. He directed a number of cult movies in the '70s that are lost or partially lost. His son even made two documentaries about him. Chris Robinson Dead: ‘General Hospital,’ ‘12 O'Clock High’ Star Was 86

I can see MKA's devilish glee in that "We're sisters!" line. What might have been...

An interview with one of my favorite ever soap friendships, Drew and Boyd!

I think Larkin was a very dashing and charismatic figure, but they started way too hot, made the character too unpleasant, and then pulled too far back with the tedious triangle. They also needed to get Reva away from the Lewises at that point rather than tying Kyle to them. They did this somewhat with the suicide attempt and working with Fletcher but not enough. I wonder what Pam Long's plans would have been for Cain. Jerry Lanning was always a mix of sinister and very cold to me, but she must have had some idea for him as she had also used him on Texas.

I think this is where the show having an older audience comes in handy as that is who is buying these releases. And buying the books, presumably. I have family who in the last few years have watched the show pretty much every day.

Didn't a curtain rod fell on him and that's why he went blind?

It is. And it's even more remarkable that this feels like an end-of-career speech when she had no idea a whole second career was on the way.

Joe Hardy and Helen Gallagher were remembered at the Tonys.

I should say a number of people do enjoy the season 9 and 13 finales. I get the appeal of the 9 finale. I just do not like the storyline.

The "LiRic" fans are going to eat them up. (and somehow that is her most viable current relationship)

That makes sense. Rauch did like to play games, as shown with some of the antics with the Labines. We should make some screencaps. I can imagine her not being thrilled by much of anything in 1996.

Kim used to say that you can tell when she was unhappy because she would try weird or new things with her hair. I don't think Rauch was at OLTL at the time Zimmer was but their producer at the time probably wasn't much of a peach either.

The early part of the season is decent. After that, Season 9 is one of the worst seasons until season 13. Season 10 is a little worse. That would have made sense, even if it cost us one of my favorite scenes (Ben putting Lilliemae in a headlock). That's an excellent storyline and leads to the show's last strong season finale.

I didn't post about it in the BtG thread as I still don't watch the show (an hour runtime is just too much for me right now with a new soap I can't just mostly skip through) but I can't imagine the ego of someone who is hired as a breakdown writer and decides to [!@#$%^&*] their own name all over the show. Classless beyond belief. Any writer who cares more about masturbatory behavior than quality of work should not be hired.

With Sean Kanan as Carl Ivati.

The show never had as much interest in Liz's kids, but my guess is when the strike writers had him come out to Liz that probably killed most of the future potential he had for story.

As long as no names were directly mentioned, it's a bit of a harmless lie, but you are right that she could have just heard something, or someone said that to her at the time rather than just saying the story wasn't popular and she was being written out. Or it could have been true, of course.

Andrea Evans was not on the show at this time. A part of me does wonder if this type of story is just thrown in for juicy gossip and didn't really happen.